1993 Cadillac Seville Owners Manual

yours to high and then back to low beam. This is the usual signal to lower the headlight beams. If the other driver still doesn't lowcr thc beams, resist the temptation to put your high beams on. This only makcs t w o half-blinded drivers.

When you follow another vehiclc o n ii Irt'CHiI! o r h 1 g h ; n . uw I(VH beams. True, most vehicles now have d;wnight mirror\ t h a t cn;rblc rhc driver to reduce glare. But outside mirrbrs arc' not o f thi< typc i \ d high beams from behind can bother the driver ahcad. A Few More Night Driving Suggestions Keep your windshield and all the glass on your vehicle clean -- inside and out. Glare at night is made much worse by dirt on the glass. Even the inside of the glass can build up a film caused by dust. Tobacco smoke also makes inside glass surfaces very filmy and can be a vision hazard if it's left there. Dirty glass makes lights dazzle and flash more than clean glass would, making the pupils of your eyes contract repeatedly. You might even want to keep a cloth and some glass cleaner in your vehicle if you need to clean your glass frequently. Remember that your headlights light up far less of a roadway when you are in a turn or curve. Keep your eyes moving; that way, it's easier to pick out dimly lighted objects. Just as your headlights should be checked regularly for proper aim, so should your eyes be examined regularly. Some drivers suffer from night blindness -- the inability to see in dim light -- and aren't even aware of it,

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D m N G IN THE RAIN

Rain and wet roads can mean driving trouble. On a w et road ya I U can’t stop, accelerate or turn as well because your tire-to-road traction isn’t as good as on dry roads. And, if your tires don’t have much tread left, you’ll get even less traction. It’s always wise to go slower and be cautious if rain starts to fall while you are driving. The surface may get wet suddenly when your reflexes are tuned for driving on dry pavement. The heavier the rain, the harder it is to see. Even if your windshield wiper blades are in good shape, a heavy rain can make it harder to see road signs and traffic signals, pavement markings, the edge of the road, and even people walking. Road spray can often be worse for vision than rain, especially if it comes from a dirty road. So it is wise to keep your wiping equipment in good shape and keep your windshield washer tank filled. Replace your windshield wiper inserts when they show signs of streaking or missing areas on the windshield, or when strips of rubber start to separate from the inserts.

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Igh large water puddles or even going through some problems, too. The water may affect your brakes. But if you can’t, try to slow down before you hit

Driving too fast throl car washes can cause Try to avoid puddles. them.

r A CAUTION:

Wet brakes can cause accidents. They won’t work well in a quick stop and may cause pulling to one side. You could lose control of the vehicle. After driving through a large puddle of water or a car wash, apply your brake pedal lightly until your brakes work normally.

Hydroplaning Hydroplaning is dangerous. So much water can build up under your tires if the road is wet that they can actually ride on the water. This can happen is hydroplaning, enough and you’re going fast enough. When your vehicle it has little or no contact with the road. You might not be aware of hydroplaning. You could drive along for some time without realizing your tires aren’t in constant contact with the road. You could find out the hard way: when you have to slow, turn, move out

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if your tires haven’t much

to pass -- or if you get hit by a gust of wind. You could suddenly find yourself out of control. Hydroplaning doesn’t happen often. But it can tread or if the pressure in one or more is low. It can happen if a lot of water is standing on the road. If you can see reflections from trees, telephone poles, or other vehicles, and raindrops “dimple” the water’s surface, there could be hydroplaning. Hydroplaning usually happens at higher speeds. There just isn’t a hard and fast rule about hydroplaning. The best advice is to slow down when it is raining, and be careful. Some Other Rainy Weather Tips

Turn on your headlights -- not just your parking lights you more visible to others. Look for hard-to-see vehicles coming from behind. You may want to use your headlights even in daytime if it’s raining hard. Besides slowing down, allow some extra following distance. And be especially careful when you pass another vehicle. Allow yourself more clear room ahead, and be prepared to have your view restricted by road spray. If the road spray is so heavy you are actually blinded, drop back. Don’t pass until conditions improve. Going more slowly is better than having an accident. Use your defogger if it helps. Have good tires with proper tread depth. (See “Tires” in the Index.)

-- to help make

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DRIVING IN FOG, MISTAND HAZE

Fog can occur with high humidity or heavy frost. It can be so mild that you can see through it for several hundred feet (meters). Or it might be so thick that you can see only a few feet (meters) ahead. It may come suddenly to an otherwise clear road. And it can be a major hazard. When you drive into a fog patch, your visibility will be reduced quickly. The biggest dangers are striking the vehicle ahead or being struck by the one behind. Try to "read" the fog density down the road. If the vehicle ahead starts to become less clear or, at night, if the taillights are harder to see, the fog is probably thickening. Slow down chance to slow down. Everybody then has a better chance to avoid hitting the vehicle ahead. A patch of dense fog may extend only for a few feet (meters) or for miles (kilometers); you can't really tell while you're in it. You can only treat the situation with extreme care. One common fog condition -- sometimes called mist or ground fog -- can happen in weather that seems perfect, especially at night or in the early morning in valley and low, marshy areas. You can be suddenly enveloped in thick, wet haze that may even coat your windshield. You can often spot these fog patches or mist layers with your headlights. But sometimes they can be waiting for you as you come over a hill or dip into a shallow valley.

to give traffic behind you' a

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Start your windshield wipers and washer, to help clear accumulated road dirt. Slow down carefully. Tips on Driving in Fog If you get caught in fog, turn your headlights on low beam, even in daytime. You’ll see -- and be seen -- better. Use your fog lights if your vehicle has them. Don’t use your high beams. The light will bounce off the water droplets that make up fog and reflect back at you. Use your defogger. In high humidity, even a light buildup of moisture on the inside of the glass will cut down on your already limited visibility. Run your windshield wipers and washer occasionally. Moisture can build up on the outside glass, and what seems to be fog may actually be moisture on the outside of your windshield. Treat dense fog as an emergency. Try to find a place to pull off the road. Of course you want to respect another’s property, but you might need to put something between you and moving vehicles -- space, trees, telephone poles, a private driveway, anything that removes you from other traffic. If visibility is near zero and you must stop but are unsure whether you are away from the road, turn your lights on, start your hazard warning flasher, and sound your horn at intervals or when you hear approaching traffic. Pass other vehicles in fog only if you can see far enough ahead to pass safely. Even then, be prepared to delay your pass if you suspect the fog is worse up ahead. If other vehicles try to pass you, make it easy for them.

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CIZYDRlWNG

One of the biggest problems with city streets is the amount of traffic on them. You’ll want to watch out for what the other drivers are doing and pay attention to traffic signals. Here are ways to increase your safety in city driving:

Know the best way to get to where you are going. Try not to drive around trying to pick out a familiar street or landmark. Get a city map and plan your trip into an unknown part of the city just as you would for a cross-country trip. Try to use the freeways that rim and crisscross most large cities. You’ll save time and energy. (See the next section, “Freeway Driving.”) Treat a green light as a warning signal. A traffic light is there because the corner is busy enough to need it. When a light turns green, and just before you start to move, check both ways for vehicles that have not cleared the intersection or may be running the red light.

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Obey all posted speed limits. But remember that they are for ideal road, weather and visibility conditions. You may need to drive below the posted limit in bad weather or when visibility is especially poor. Pull to the right (with care) and stop clear of intersections when you see or hear emergency vehicles. FREEWAY D M N G

Mile for mile, freeways (also called thruways, parkways, expressways, turnpikes, or superhighways) are the safest of all roads. But they have their own special rules. The most important advice on freeway driving is: Keep up with traffic and keep to the right. Drive at the same speed most of the other drivers are driving. Too-fast or too-slow driving breaks a smooth traffic flow. Treat the left lane on a freeway as a passing lane. Entering the Freeway At the entrance there is usually a ramp that leads to the freeway. If you have a clear view of the freeway as you drive along the entrance ramp, you should begin to check traffic. Try to determine where you expect to blend with the flow. If traffic is light, you may have no problem. But if it is heavy, find a gap as you move along the entering lane and time your approach. Try to merge into the gap at close to the prevailing speed. Switch on your turn signal, check your rearview mirrors as you move

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along, and glance over your shoulder as often as necessary. smoothly with the traffic flow. Driving on the Freeway Once you are on the freeway, adjust your speed to the posted limit or to the prevailing rate if it’s slower. Stay in the right lane unless you want to pass. If you are on a two-lane freeway, treat the right lane as the slow lane and the left lane as the passing lane. If you are on a three-lane freeway, treat the right lane as the slower-speed through lane, the middle lane as the higher-speed through lane, and the left lane as the passing lane. Before changing lanes, check your rearview mirrors. Then use your turn signal. Just before you leave the lane, glance quickly over your shoulder sure there isn’t another vehicle in your “blind” spot. If you are moving from an outside to a center lane on a freeway having more than two lanes, make sure another vehicle isn’t about to move into the same spot. Look at the vehicles two lanes over and watch for telltale signs: turn signals flashing, an increase in speed, or moving toward the edge of the lane. Be prepared to delay your move. Once you are moving on the freeway, make certain you allow a reasonable following distance. Expect to move slightly slower at night. Leaving the Freeway When you want to leave the freeway, move to the proper lane well in advance. Dashing across lanes at the last minute is dangerous. If you miss your exit do not, under any circumstances, stop and back up. Drive on to the next exit. At each exit point is a deceleration lane. Ideally it should be long enough for you to enter it at freeway speed (after signaling, of course) and then do your braking before moving onto the exit ramp. Unfortunately, not all deceleration lanes are long enough -- some are too short for all the braking. Decide when to start braking. If you must brake on the through lane, and if there is traffic close behind you, you can allow a little extra

to make

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time and flash your brake lights (in addition to your turn signal) as extra warning that you are about to slow down and exit. The exit ramp can be curved, sometimes quite sharply. The exit speed is usually posted. Reduce your speed according to your speedometer, not to your sense of motion. After driving for any distance at higher speeds, you may tend to think you are going slower than you actually are. For example, 40 mph (65 km/h) might seem like only 20 mph (30 km/h). Obviously, this could lead to serious trouble on a ramp designed for 20 mph (30 km/h)! D M N G A LONG DISTANCE Although most long trips today are made on freeways, there are still many made on regular highways. Long-distance driving on freeways and regular highways is the same in some ways. The trip has to be planned and the vehicle prepared, you drive at higher-than-city speeds, and there are longer turns behind the wheel. You’ll enjoy your trip more if you and your vehicle are in good shape. Here are some tips for a successful long trip. BEFORE LEAWNG ONA LONG THP Make sure you’re ready. Try to be well rested. If you must start when you’re not fresh -- such as after a day’s work -- don’t plan to make too many miles that first part of the journey. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes you can easily drive in. Is your vehicle ready for a long trip? If you keep it serviced and maintained, it’s ready to go. If it needs service, have it done before starting out. Of course, you’ll find experienced and able service experts in Cadillac dealerships all across North America. They’ll be ready and willing to help if you need it. Here are some things you can check before a trip:

Windshield Washer Fluid: Is the reservoir full? Are all windows clean inside and outside? Wiper Blades: Are they in good shape?

0 Fuel. Enpine Oil. Other Fluids: Have you checked all levels?

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0 Lights: Are they all working? Are the lenses clean? 0 Tires: They are vitally important to a safe, trouble-free trip. Is the

tread good enough for long-distance driving? Are the tires all inflated to the recommended pressure? Weather Forecasts: What’s the weather outlook along your route? Should you delay your trip a short time to avoid a major storm system?

0 Maps: Do you have up-to-date maps? ON THE ROAD Unless you are the only driver, it is good to share the driving task with others. Limit turns behind the wheel to about 100 miles (160 km) or two hours at a sitting. Then, either change drivers or stop for some refreshment like coffee, tea or soft drinks and some limbering up. But do stop and move around. Eat lightly along the way. Heavier meals tend to make some people sleepy. On two-lane highways or undivided multilane highways that do not have controlled access, you’ll want to watch for some situations not usually found on freeways. Examples are: stop signs and signals, shopping centers with direct access to the highway, no passing zones and school zones, vehicles turning left and right off the road, pedestrians, cyclists, parked vehicles, and even animals. HIGWAY HypNosIS Is there actually such a condition as “highway hypnosis”? Or is it just plain falling asleep at the wheel? Call it highway hypnosis, lack of awareness, or whatever. There is something about an easy stretch of road with the same scenery, along with the hum of the tires on the road, the drone of the engine, and the rush of the wind against the vehicle that can make you sleepy. Don’t the road in less than let it happen to you! If it does, your vehicle can leave a second. and you could crash and be injured. What can you do about highway hypnosis? First, be aware that it can happen.

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Then here are some tips:

Make sure your vehicle is well ventilated, with a comfortably cool interior. Keep your eyes moving. Scan the road ahead and to the sides. Check your rearview mirrors frequently and your instruments from time to time. This can help you avoid a fixed stare. Wear good sunglasses in bright light. Glare can cause drowsiness. But don't wear sunglasses at night. They will drastically reduce your overall vision at the very time you need all the seeing power you have. If you get sleepy, pull off the road into a rest, service, or parking area and take a nap, get some exercise, or both. For safety, treat drowsiness on the highway as an emergency.

As in any driving situation, keep pace with traffic and allow adequate following distances. HILL AND MOUNTMN ROADS

Driving on steep hills or mountains is different from driving in flat or rolling terrain.

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If you drive regularly in steep country, or if you’re planning to visit there, here are some tips that can make your trips safer and more enjoyable. Keep your vehicle in good shape. Check all fluid levels and also the brakes, tires, cooling system and transaxle. These parts can work hard on mountain roads. Know how to go down hills. The most important thing to know is this: let your engine do some of the slowing down. Don’t make your brakes do it all. Shift to a lower gear when you go down a stcep o r long hill. That way, you will slow down without excessive w e o f ! w r hrilkcs.

I A CAUTION:

If you don’t shift down, your brakes could get so hot that tht? wouldn’t work well. You would then have p r braking or men none going down a hill. You could crash. Shin down to let your engine assist your brakes on a steep downhill slope.

A CAUTION

Coasting downhill in “N” (Neutral) or with the ignition off is dangerous. Your brakes will have to do all the work of slowing down. They could get so hot that they wouldn’t work well. You could crash. Always have your engine running and your vehicle in gear when you go downhill.

Know how to go uphill. You may want to shift down to a lower gear. The lower gears help cool your engine and transaxle, and you can climb the hill better. Stay in your own lane when driving on two-lane roads in hills or mountains. Don’t swing wide or cut across the center of the road. Drive at speeds that let you stay in your own lane. That way, you won’t be surprised by a vehicle coming toward you in the same lane.

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It takes longer to pass another vehicle when you're going uphill. You'll want to leave extra room to pass. If a vehicle is passing you and doesn't have enough room, slow down to make it easier for the other vehicle to get by.

0 As you go over the top of a hill, be alert. There could be something in

your lane, like a stalled car or an accident. You may see highway signs on mountains that warn of special problems. Examples are long grades, passing or no-passing zones, a falling rocks area, or winding roads. Be alert to these and take appropriate action. Winter driving can present special problems. See "Winter Driving" in the Index.

Parking on Hills

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Another part of this manual tells how to use your parking brake (see "Parking Brake" in the Index). But on a mountain or steep hill, you can do one more thing. You can turn your front wheels to keep your vehicle from rolling downhill or out into traffic. Here's how: Parking Downhill

Turn your wheels to the right. You don't have to jam your tires against the curb, if there is a curb. A gentle contact is all you need.

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a-

Parking Uphill

If there is a curb, turn your wheels to the left if the curb is at the right side of your vehicle.

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If you’re going uphill on a one-way street and you’re parking on the left side, your wheels should point to the right.

If there is no curb when you’re parking uphill, turn the wheels to the right.

..

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If there is no,curb when you’re parking uphill on the left side of a one-way street, your wheels should be turned to the left. Torque Lock (Automatic Transaxle) If you are parking on a hill and you don’t shift your transaxle into “P” (Park) properly, the weight of the vehicle may put too much force on the parking pawl in the transaxle. You may find it difficult to pull the shift lever out of “P” (Park). This is called “torque lock.” To prevent torque lock, always be sure to shift into “P” (Park) properly before you leave the driver’s seat. To find out how, see “ Shifting Into ’P’ (Park)” in the Index.

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If “torque lock” does occur, you may need to have another vehicle pusn yours a little uphill to take some of the pressure from the transaxle, so you can pull the shift lever out of “P” (Park). ‘WINTER D m N G

Here are some tips for winter driving: 0 Have your Cadillac in good shape for winter. Be sure your engine

coolant mix is correct. Snow tires can help in loose snow, but they may give you less traction on ice than regular tires. If you do not expect to be driving in deep snow, but may have to travel over ice, you may not want to switch to snow tires at all. You may want to put winter emergency supplies in your trunk.

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Include an ice scraper, a small brush or broom, a supply of windshield washer fluid, a rag, some winter outer clothing, a small shovel, a flashlight, a red cloth, and a couple of reflective warning triangles. And, if you will be driving under severe conditions, include a small bag of sand, a piece of old carpet or a couple of burlap bags to help provide traction. Be sure you properly secure these items in your vehicle. Driving on Snow or Ice Most of the time, those places where your tires meet the road probably have good traction. However, if there is snow or ice between your tires and the road, you can have a very slippery situation. You’ll have a lot less traction or “grip” and will need to be very careful.

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----

....

What’s the worst time for this? “Wet ice.” Very cold snow or ice can be slick and hard to drive on. But wet ice can be even more trouble because it may offer the least traction of all. You can get “wet ice” when it’s about freezing (32°F; O’C) and freezing rain begins to fall. Try to avoid driving on wet ice until salt and sand crews can get there. Whatever the condition -- smooth ice, packed, blowing or loose snow -- drive with caution. Accelerate gently. Try not to break the fragile traction. If you accelerate too fast, the drive wheels will spin and polish the surface under the tires even more. Your anti-lock brakes improve your ability to make a hard stop on a slippery road. Even though you have the anti-lock braking system, you’ll want to begin stopping sooner than you would on dry pavement. See “Anti-lock” in the Index.

Allow greater following distance on any slippery road.

0 Watch for slippery spots. The road might be fine until you hit a spot that’s covered with ice. On an otherwise clear road, ice patches may appear in shaded areas where the sun can’t reach: around clumps of trees, behind buildings, or under bridges. Sometimes the surface of a curve or an overpass may remain icy when the surrounding roads are clear. If you see a patch of ice ahead of you, brake before you are on it. Try not to brake while you’re actually on the ice, and avoid sudden steering maneuvers.

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If You're Caught in a Blizzard

If you are stopped by heavy snow, you could be in a serious situation. You should probably stay with your vehicle unless you know for sure that you are near help and you can hike through the snow. Here are some things to do to summon help and keep yourself and your passengers safe: Turn on your hazard flashers. Tie a red cloth to your vehicle to alert police that you've been stopped by the snow. Put on extra clothing or wrap a blanket around you. If you have no blankets or extra clothing, make body insulators from newspapers, burlap bags, rags, floor mats -- anything you can wrap around yourself or tuck under your clothing to keep warm. You can run the engine to keep warm, but be careful.

A CAUTION

Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle. This can cause deadly CO (carbon monoxide) gas to get inside. CO could overcome you and kill you. You can't see it or smell it, so you might not know it was in your vehicle. Clear away snow from around the base of your vehicle especially any that is blocking your exhaust pipe. And check around again from time to time to be sure snow doesn't collect there.

CAUTION: (Continued)

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CAUTION: (Continued) Open a window just a little on the side of the vehicle that's away from the wind. This will help keep CO out.

Run your engine only as long as you must. This saves fuel. When you run the engine, make it go a little faster than just idle. That is, push the accelerator slightly. This uses less fuel for the heat that you get and it keeps the battery charged. You will need a well-charged battery to restart the vehicle, and possibly for signaling later on with your headlights. Let the heater run for awhile. Then, shut the engine off and close the window almost all the way to preserve the heat. Start the engine again and repeat this only when you feel really uncomfortable from the cold. But do it as little as possible. Preserve the fuel as long as you can. To help keep warm, you can get out of the vehicle and do some fairly vigorous exercises every half hour or so until help comes. VYou're Stuck in Deep Snow This manual explains how to get the vehicle out of deep snow without damaging it. See "Rocking Your Vehicle" in the Index.

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TOWNG A TRAlrLER

A CAUTION: If you don’t use the correct equipment and drive properly, you trailer is too heavy, the brakes may not work well -- or even at can lose control when you pull a trailer. For example, if the all. You and your passengers could be seriously injured. Pull a trailer only if you have followed all the steps in this section.

Load-pulling components such as the engine, transaxle, wheel assemblies, and tires are forced to work harder against the drag of the added weight. The engine is required to operate at relatively higher speeds and under greater loads, generating extra heat. What’s more, the trailer adds considerably to wind resistance, increasing the pulling requirements. All of that means changes in: e Handling Durability Fuel economy

If You Do Decide To Pull A Trailer If you do, here are some important points.

There are many different laws having to do with trailering. Make sure your rig will be legal, not only where you live but also where you’ll be driving. A good source for this information can be state or provincial police.

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Consider using a sway control. You can ask a hitch dealer about sway controls. Don’t tow a trailer at all during the first 500 miles (800 km) your new vehicle is driven. Your engine, axle or other parts could be damaged. 0 Then, during the first 500 miles (800 km) that you tow a trailer, don’t drive over 50 mph (80 km/h) and don’t make starts at full throttle. This helps your engine and other parts of your vehicle wear in at the heavier loads. When towing a trailer, close all windows and set the Electronic Climate Control System to “ECON”, “AUTO”, “DEFOG” or Defroster to assure that the fan is running. Three important considerations have to do with weight: 1. Weight of the nailer

How heavy can a trailer safely be? It should never weigh more than 1,000 pounds (450 kg). But even that can be too heavy. It depends on how you plan to use your rig. For example, speed, altitude, road grades, outside temperature and how much your vehicle is used to pull a trailer are all important. And, it can also depend on any special equipment that you have on your vehicle. You can ask your dealer for our trailering information or advice, or you can write us at Cadillac. In Canada, write to General Motors of Canada Limited, Customer Assistance Center, 1908 Colonel Sam Drive, Oshawa, Ontario L1H 8P7.

2. Weight of the ’hailer Tongue

When a trailer is connected to your vehicle, the trailer tongue adds to the weight your vehicle is carrying. So, remember to subtract the weight of the trailer tongue from your vehicle’s capacity weight.

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The trailer tongue (A) should weigh 10% of the total loaded trailer weight (B). After you’ve loaded your trailer, weigh the trailer and then the tongue, separately, to see if the weights are proper. If they aren’t, you may be able to get them right simply by moving some items around in the trailer.

3. Total Weight on Your Vehicle’s Tires

Be sure your vehicle’s tires are inflated to the limit for cold tires. You’ll find these numbers on the Certification label at the rear edge of the driver’s door (or see Index under “Tire Loading”). Then be sure you don’t go over the GVW limit for your vehicle.

Hitches It’s important to have the correct hitch equipment. Crosswinds, large trucks going by, and rough roads are a few reasons why you’ll need the right hitch. Here are some rules to follow: 0 Will you have to make any holes in the body of your vehicle when you

install a trailer hitch? If you do, then be sure to seal the holes later when you remove the hitch. If you don’t seal them, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) from your exhaust can get into your vehicle (see Index under “Carbon Monoxide”). Dirt and water can, too. The bumpers on your vehicle are not intended for hitches. Do not attach rental hitches or other bumper-type hitches to them.

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Safety Chains You should always attach chains between your vehicle and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue of the trailer so that the tongue will not drop to the road if it becomes separated from the hitch. Follow the manufacturer's recommendation for attaching safety chains. Always leave just enough slack so you can turn with your rig. And, never allow safety chains to drag on the ground. Trailer Brakes Does your trailer have its own brakcs'? He sure IO read and follow thc instructions for the trailer brakes so you'll he ilblc t o ir~\ti~lI, ;rcliw an3 maintain them properly.

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Driving with a Trailer Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience. Before setting out for the open road, you'll want to get to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel of handling and braking with the added weight of the trailer. And always keep in mind that the vehicle you are driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly so responsive as your vehicle itself. Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform, safety chains, electrical connector, lights, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure the brakes are working. This lets you check your electrical connection at the same time. During your trip, check occasionally and that the lights and any trailer brakes are still working.

to be sure that the load is secure,

is by

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Following Distance Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you would when driving your vehicle without a trailer. This can help you avoid situations that require heavy braking and sudden turns. Passing You’ll need more passing distance up ahead when you’re towing a trailer. And, because you’re a good deal longer, you’ll need to go much farther beyond the passed vehicle before you can return to your lane. Backing Up Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand. Then, to move the trailer to the left, just move that hand to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible, have someone guide you. Making Turns When you’re turning with a trailer, make wider turns than normal. Do this so your trailer won’t strike soft shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees, or other objects. Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in advance. Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer When you tow a trailer, your vehicle has to have a different turn signal flasher and extra wiring. The green arrows on your instrument panel will flash whenever you signal a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up, the trailer lights will dso flash, telling other drivers you’re about to turn, L.h;lrrgc I;rnc\ t u ~ t ~ p . Ir.dcr. Itlc grccn arrows o n your instrument panel will 14 IICII I W I I I ~ thc trailer are burned out. Thus, you t l ~ 4 l ILA! ItllllA clrr\cr\ hchlnd > t ) u arc swing your signal when they are not. IO be sure the trailer bulbs are still II’\ m p w t , m t 1 0 L hcc.h t x c ~ w ) ~ ~ ~ l l y worhmg.

( t u I L J I ~ L-~L-II

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Driving On Grades Reduce speed and shift to a lower gear before you start down a long or steep downgrade. If you don’t shift down, you might have to use your brakes so much that they would get hot and no longer work well. On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce your speed to around 45 mph (70 km/h) or less to reduce the possibility of engine and transaxle overheating. If your trailer weighs more than 1,000 pounds (450 Kg) and you have an automatic transaxle with Overdrive, you may want to drive in “3” instead of Overdrive Parking on Hills You really should not park your vehicle, with a trailer attached, on a hill. If something goes wrong, your rig could start to move. People can be injured, and both your vehicle and the trailer can be damaged. But if you ever have to park your rig on a hill, here’s bow to do it: 1. Apply your regular brakes, but don’t shift into “P” (Park) yet. 2. Have someone place chocks under the trailer wheels. 3. When the wheel chocks are in place, release the regular brakes until

the chocks absorb the load.

4. Reapply the regular brakes. Then shift into “P” (Park) firmly and

apply your parking brake. 5. Release the regular brakes. When You Are Ready to Leave Afler Parking on a Hill 1. Apply your regular brakes and hold the pedal down while you:

Start your engine; Shift into a gear; and Be sure the parking brake has released.

2. Let up on the brake pedal. 3. Drive slowly until the trailer is clear of the chocks. 4. Stop and have someone pick up and store the chocks.

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Maintenance when Trailer Towing Your vehicle will need service more often when you’re pulling a trailer. See the Maintenance Schedule for more on this. Things especially important in trailer operation are automatic transaxle fluid (don’t overfill), engine oil, axle lubricant, belts, cooling system, and brake adjustment. Each of these is covered in this manual, and the Index will help you find them quickly. If you’re trailering, it’s a good idea to review these sections before you start your trip. Check periodically to see that all hitch nuts and bolts are tight.

that are

219

PROBLEMS ON THE ROAD

Here you'll find what to do about some problems that can occur on the road.

220

lyAZARD WARNING FLASHERS

on and off. -

Your hazard warning flashers let you warn others. They also let police know you have a problem. Your front and rear turn signal lights will flash

3.

.,.,

Press the button in to make your front and rear turn signal lights flash on and off.

221

The light on your instrument panel will flash indicating that the hazard warning flashers are on.

Your hazard warning flashers work no matter what position your key is in, and even if the key isn't in.

To turn off the flashers, pull out on the collar.

When the hazard warning flashers are on, your turn signals won't work.

OTHER W N I N G DE'VICES If you carry reflective triangles, you can set one up at the side of the road about 300 feet (100 m) behind your vehicle.

222

P I L ,

JUMP STARTING If your battery has run down, you may want to use another vehicle and some jumper cables to start your Cadillac. But please follow the steps below to do it safely.

A CAUTION:

Batteries can hurt you. They can be dangerous because:

They contain acid that can burn you. They contain eas that can explode or ignite. They contain enough electricity to burn you. If you don’t follow these steps exactly, some can hurt you.

or all of these things

r TO JUMP START YOUR C2DILLAC:

1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt battery with a negative

ground system.

223

2. Get the vehicles close enough so the jumper cables can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren’t touching each other. If they are, it could cause a ground connection you don’t want. You wouldn’t be able to start your Cadillac, and the bad grounding could damage the electrical systems.

A CAUTION:

You could be injured if the vehicles roll. Set the parking brake firmly on each vehicle. Put an automatic transaxle (Park).

in “P”

3. Turn off the ignition on both vehicles. lbrn off all lights that aren’t

needed, and radios. This will avoid sparks and help save both batteries. And it could save your radio!

4. Open the hoods and locate the batteries:

A CAUTION:

An electric fan can start up even when the engine is not running and can injure you. Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any underhood electric fan.

Find the positive (+) and negative (-) terminals on each battery.

224

-

<.d

4.9 Liter

4.6 Liter (Northstar)

. ,,.

225

I

CAUTION: (Continued) Be sure the batteries have enough water. You don’t need to add water to the Delco Freedoms bittery installed in every new GM vehicle. But if a battery has filler caps, be sure the right amount of fluid is there. If it is low, add water to take care of that first. If you don’t, explosive gas could be present. Battery fluid contains acid that can burn you. Don’t get it on you. If you accidentally get it in your eyes or on your skin, flush the place with water and get medical help immediately.

6. Check that the jumper cables don’t have loose or missing insulation. If

they do, you could get a shock. The vehicles could be damaged, too. Before you connect the cables, here are some things you should know. Positive (+ ) will go to positive (+) and negative (-) will go to negative (-) or a metal engine part. Don’t connect (+) to (-) or you’ll get a short that would damage the battery and maybe other parts, too.

A CAUTION

Fans or other moving engine parts can iqjure you badly. Keep your hands away from moving parts once the engines are running.

226

4.9 Liter

4.6 Liter (Northstar)

7. Connect the red positive (+) cable to the positive (+) terminal of the

vehicle with the dead battery.

8. Don't let the other end touch metal. Connect it to the positive (+ )

terminal of the good battery.

9. Now connect the black negative (-) cable to the good battery's

negative (-) terminal.

10. Don't let the other end touch anything until the next step. The other end of the negative cable doesn't go to the dead battery. It goes to a

227

heavy unpainted metal part on the engine of the vehicle with the dead battery. Attach the cable at least 18 inches (45 cm) away from the dead battery, but not near engine parts that move. The electrical connection is just as good there, but the chance of sparks getting back to the battery is much less.

4.9 Liter

. .

.-

4.6 Liter (Northstar)

11. Now start the vehicle with the good battery and run the engine for

awhile.

228

I

12. Try to start the vehicle with the dead battery.

If it won’t start after a few tries, it probably needs service.

13. Remove the cables in reverse order to prevent electrical shorting.

Take care that they don’t touch each other or any other metal.

M A D BATTERY

TOWNG YOUR WHICLE Try to have a GM dealer or a professional towing service tow your Cadillac. The usual towing equipment is a sling-type, or a wheel-lift, or car carrier tow truck.

229

If your vehicle has been changed or modified since it was factory-new by adding aftermarket items like fog lamps, aero skirting, or special tires and wheels, these instructions and illustrations may not be correct. Before you do anything, turn on the hazard warning flashers. When you call, tell the towing service:

That your vehicle cannot be towed from the front or rear with sling-type equipment. That your vehicle has front-wheel drive. The make, model, and year of your vehicle. Whether you can still move the shift lever. If there was an accident, what was damaged.

When the towing service arrives, let the tow operator know that this manual contains detailed towing instructions and illustrations. The operator may want to see them.

C I

230

A CAUTION:

To help avoid injury to you or others:

Never let passengers ride in a vehicle that is being towed. Never tow faster than safe or posted speeds. Never tow with damaged parts not fully secured. Never get under your vehicle after it has been lifted by the tow truck. Always use separate safety chains on each side when towing a vehicle. Never use '3" hooks. Use T-hooks instead.

When your vehicle is being towed, have the ignition key off. The steering wheel should be clamped in a straight-ahead position, with a clamping device designed for towing service. Do not use the vehicle's steering column lock for this. The transaxle should be in Neutral and the parking brake released.

23 1

Don’t have your vehicle towed on the front wheels, unless you must. If the vehicle must be towed on the front wheels, don’t go more than 55 mph (88 km/h) or farther than 500 miles (804 km) or your transaxle will be damaged. If these limits must be exceeded, then the front wheels have to be supported on a dolly.

A CAUTION:

A vehicle can fall from a car carrier if it isn’t properly secured. This can cause a collision, serious personal iqjury and vehicle damage. The vehicle should be tightly secured with chains or steel cables before it is transported. Don’t use substitutes (ropes, leather straps, canvas webbing, etc.) that can be cut by sharp edges underneath the towed vehicle.

-:

L.

232

ENGINE OVEIWYEATING You will find the warning light about a hot engine on your Cadillac instrument panel (Export Only). The driver information will display either “ENGINE COOLANT HOT IDLE ENGINE” or “STOP ENGINE ENGINE OVERHEATING.” I f Steam Is Coming From Your Engine:

A CAUTION

Steam from an overheated engine can burn you badly, even if you just open the hood. Stay away from the engine if you see or hear steam coming from it. Just turn it off and get everyone away from the vehicle until it cools down. Wait until there is no sign of steam or coolant before opening the hood. If you keep driving when your engine is overheated, the liquids in it can catch fire. You or others could be badly burned. Stop your engine if it overheats, and get out of the vehicle until the engine is cool.

233

IfNo Steam Is Coming From Your Engine: If you get the overheat warning but see or hear no steam, the problem may not be too serious. Sometimes too hot when you:

the engine can get a little

Climb a long hill on a hot day. Stop after high speed driving.

0 Idle for long periods in traffic. 0 Tow a trailer. If you get the overheat warning with no sign or steam, try this for a minute or so: 1. Turn off your air conditioner. 2. Turn on your heater to full hot at the highest fan speed and open the

window as necessary.

3. Try to keep your engine under load (in a drive gear where the engine

runs slower).

If you no longer have the overheat warning, you can drive. Just to be safe, drive slower for about ten minutes. ‘If the warning doesn’t come back on, you can drive normally. If the warning continues, pull over, stop, and park your vehicle right away. If there’s still no sign of steam, you can idle the engine for two or three minutes while you’re parked, to see if the warning stops. But then, if you still have the warning, TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND GET EVERYONE OUT OF THE VEHICLE until it cools down. You may decide not to lift the hood but to get service help right away.

II

234

COOLING SYSTEM - 4.9 LITER

When you decide it's safe to lift the hood, here's what you'll see: v Coolant recovery tank v Radiator pressure cap Electric engine fans

1 A CAUTION:

An electric fan under the hood can start up even when the engine is not running and can injure you, Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any underhood electric fan,

If the coolant inside the coolant recovery tank is boiling, don't do anything else until it cools down.

235

The coolant level should be at or above “FULL COLD.” If it isn’t, you may have a leak in the radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water pump or somewhere else in the cooling system.

A CAUTION

Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine parts, can be very hot. Don’t touch them. If you do, you can be burned. Don’t run the engine if there is a leak. If you run the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could cause an engine fire, and you could be burned. Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.

If there seems to be no leak, check to see if the electric engine fans are running. If the engine is overheating, both fans should be running. If they aren’t, your vehicle needs service.

236

..

How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Recovery Tank If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level isn’t at or above “FULL COLD,” add a 50/50 mixture of clean water (preferably distilled) and a proper antifreeze at the coolant recovery tank. (See “Engine Coolant” in the Index for more information about the proper coolant mix.)

A CAUTION

Adding only plain water to your cooling system can be dangerous. Plain water, or some other liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper coolant mix will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the proper coolant mix. With plain water or the wrong mix, your engine could get too hot but you wouldn’t get the overheat warning. Your engine could catch fire and you or others could be burned. Use a 50/50 mix of clean water and a proper antifreeze.

237

r-

A CAUTION:

You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol and parts are hot enough. Don’t spill coolant on a hot engine.

it will burn if the engine

When the coolant in the coolant recovery tank is at or above “FULL COLD,” start your vehicle. If the overheat warning continues, there’s one more thing you can try. You can add the proper coolant mix directly to the radiator, but be sure the cooling system is cool before you do it.

238

A CAUTION: Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling system can blow turn the radiator pressure cap -- even a little -- they can come out and burn you badly. They are under pressure, and if you

out at high speed. Never turn the cap when the cooling system, including the radiator pressure cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling system and radiator pressure cap to cool if you ever have to turn the pressure cap.

239

How to Add Coolant to the Radiator

. /

, ' , ' >

_.II

1. You can remove

the radiator pressure cap when the cooling system, including the radiator pressure cap and upper radiator hose, is no longer hot. Turn the pressure cap slowly to the left until it first stops.

(Don't press down while turning the pressure cap.) If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss means there is still some pressure left.

2. Then keep turning the pressure cap, but now push down as you turn it. Remove the pressure cap.

240

.

-.....

. .

, .

3. Fill the radiator with the proper mix, up to the base of the filler neck.

.. Then fill the

coolant recovery tank to “FULL COLD.”

24 1

5. Put the cap back

on the coolant recovery tank, but leave the radiator pressure cap off.

you can feel the upper radiator hose getting hot. Watch out for the engine fans.

7. By this time the coolant level inside the radiator filler neck may be lower. If the level is lower, add more of the proper mix through the filler neck until the level reaches the base of the filler neck.

. .

242

8. Replace the

pressure cap. Be sure the arrows on the pressure cap line up like this.

COOLING SYSTEM= 4.6 LITER (NORTHSTAR)

When you decide it's safe to lift the hood, here's what you'll see:

Coolant surge tank with pressure cap Electric engine fans

243

I A CAUTION

An electric fan under the hood can start up even when the engine is not running and can injure you. Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any underhood electric fan.

If the coolant inside the coolant surge tank is boiling, don’t do anything else until it cools down.

The coolant level should be at or above “FULL COLD.” If it isn’t, you may have a leak in the radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator, water pump or somewhere else in the cooling system.

A CAUTION:

Heater and radiator hoses, and other engine parts, can be very hot. Don’t touch them. If you do, you can be burned. Don’t run the engine if there is a leak If you run the engine, it could lose all coolant. That could cause an engine fire, and you could be burned. Get any leak fixed before you drive the vehicle.

244

If there seems to be no leak, check to see if the electric engine fans are running. If the engine is overheating, both fans should be running. If they aren’t, your vehicle needs service. How to Add Coolant to the Coolant Surge Tank If you haven’t found a problem yet, but the coolant level isn’t at or above “FULL COLD,” add a 50/50 mixture of clean water (preferably distilled) and a proper antifreeze at the coolant recovery tank. (See “Engine Coolant” in the Index for more information about the proper coolant mix.)

A CAUTION

Adding only plain water to your cooling system can De dangerous. Plain water, or some other liquid like alcohol, can boil before the proper coolant mix will. Your vehicle’s coolant warning system is set for the proper coolant mix. With plain water or the wrong mix, your engine could get too hot but you wouldn’t get the overheat warning. Your engine could catch fire and you or others could be burned. Use a 50/50 mix of clean water and a proper antifreeze.

...-

245

A CAUTION:

You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol and it will burn if the engine parts are hot enough. Don’t spill coolant on a hot engine.

Should a low coolant condition exist, an overheat protection “Limp Home” feature of the 4.6 L Northstar allows alternate firing groups of four cylinders for a predetermined number of cycles to prevent engine damage, enabling your vehicle to be driven to the nearest service center.

A CAUTION: Steam and scalding liquids from a hot cooling system can blow out and burn you badly. They are under pressure, and if you turn the coolant surge tank pressure cap -- even a little -- they can come out at high speed. Never turn the cap when the cooling system, including the coolant surge tank pressure cap, is hot. Wait for the cooling system and coolant surge tank pressure cap to cool if you ever have to turn the pressure cap.

L -

. J

246

F

1. You can remove the coolant surge tank pressure cap when the cooling system, including the coolant surge tank pressure cap and upper radiator hose, is no longer hot. Turn the pressure cap slowly to the left until it first stops.

(Don’t press down while turning the pressure cap.) If you hear a hiss, wait for that to stop. A hiss means there is still some pressure left.

247

2. Then keep turning the pressure cap, but now push down as you turn it. Remove the pressure cap.

3. Fill the coolant

surge tank with the proper mix, up to the base of the filler neck.

248

. :

4. Put the cap back on

the coolant surge tank.

5. Start the engine and as the engine runs the coolant will circulate

through the cooling system. Any air that was introduced while adding coolant will purge itself and rise to the top of the surge tank. If the “ENGINE COOLANT LOW” message does not appear on the Driver Information Center, coolant is at the proper fill level. If an “ENGINE COOLANT LOW” message does appear, repeat steps 1 through 4 or see your dealer.

IFA TIRE GOES FLAT It’s unusual for a tire to “blow out” while you’re driving, especially if you maintain your tires properly. If air goes out of a tire, it’s much more likely to leak out slowly. But if you should ever have a “blowout,” here are a few tips about what to expect and what to do: If a front tire fails, the flat tire will create a drag that pulls the vehicle toward that side. Take your foot off the accelerator pedal and grip the steering wheel firmly. Steer to maintain lane position, then gently brake to a stop well out of the traffic lane. A rear blowout, particularly on a curve, acts much like a skid and may require the same correction you’d use in a skid. In any rear blowout, remove your foot from the accelerator pedal. Get the vehicle under control by steering the way you want the vehicle to go. It may be very bumpy and noisy, but you can still steer. Gently brake to a stop, well off the road if possible.

249

. - _-

If your tire goes flat, the next section shows how to use your jacking equipment to change a flat tire safely. CHANGING A FLAT TIRE If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire and wheel damage by driving slowly to a level place. Turn on your hazard warning flashers. A CAUTION:

Changing a tire can cause an injury. The vehicle can slip off the jack and ro11 over you or other people. You and they could be badly injured. Find a level place to change your tire. To help prevent the vehicle from moving: 1. Put the shift lever in “P” (Park). 2. Set the parking brake firmly. 3. lhrn off the engine. To be even more certain the vehicle won’t move, you can put chocks at the front and rear of the tire farthest away from the one being changed. That would be the tire on the other side of the vehicle, at the opposite end.

250

L .

The following steps will tell you how to use the jack and change a tire.

The equipment you’ll need is in the trunk under the spare tire cover.

Rotate the plastic wing nut and remove that cover to access the spare tire.

Then remove the wing nut that secures the jack and wrench and remove them from the trunk.

25 1

Attach the wheel wrench to the jack bolt and rotate it clockwise (to the right). That will raise the lift head a little.

There is a center wheel cover on your aluminum wheel. Use the flat end of the wheel wrench, prying along the edge of the cover until it comes off. Be careful not to scratch the aluminum wheel edge. Don't try to remove it with your bare hands.

252

. . .

Using the wheel wrench, loosen all wheel nuts. Don't remove them yet.

the

Position the jack under the vehicle. Your vehicle has a notch on the frame near each of the wheels. Fit the lift head into the notch nearest the wheel with the flat tire.

253

I A CAUTION:

Getting under a vehicle when it is jacked up is dangerous. If the vehicle slips off the jack, you could be badly injured or killed. Never get under a vehicle when it is supported only by a jack.

NOTICE: Raising your vehicle with the jack improperly positioned will damage the vehicle or may allow the vehicle la I d 1 OR the Jack. Be sure to fit the jack lift head into the proper location btfntv raising your vehicle,

. .*

Raise the vehicle by rotating the wheel wrench clockwise. Raise the vehicle far enough off the ground so there is enough room for the spare tire to fit.

254

F

pl

Remove all the wheel nuts and take off the flat tire.

A CAUTION:

Rust or dirt on !he w h d , o r on the parts to which it is fastened, can mahe the uhed nuts become loose after a time. The wheel cuuld conw o l l and c ~ u s e a n accident. When you change a wheel, remote un) rust or dirt from the places where the wheel attaches to the vehicle. In an emergency, you can use a cloth or a paper towel to do this; but be sure to use a scraper or wire brush later, if you need to, to get all the rust or dirt off.

255

Remove any rust or dirt from the wheel bolts, mounting surfaces or spare wheel. Place the spare on the wheel mounting surface.

A CAUTION

Never use oil or grease on studs or nuts. If you do, the nuts might come loose. Your wheel could fall off, causing a serious accident.

Replace the wheel nuts with the rounded end of the nuts toward the wheel. Tighten each nut by hand until the

256

Lower the vehicle by rotating the wheel wrench counterclockwise. Lower the jack completely.

Tighten the wheel nuts firmly in a criss-cross sequence as shown.

1 A CAUTION:

Incorrect wheel nuts or improperly tightened wheel nuts can cause the wheel to become loose and even come off. This could lead to an accident. Be sure to use the correct wheel nuts. If you have to replace them, be sure to get the right kind. Stop somewhere as soon as you can and have the nuts tightened with a torque wrench to 140 N m (100 ft.lbs.).

257

A CAUTION:

Storing a jack, a tire or other equipment in the passenger compartment of the vehicle could cause injury. In a sudden stop or collision, loose equipment could strike someone. Store all these in the proper place.

COMPACT SPARE TIRE Although the compact spare was fully inflated when your vehicle was new, it can lose air after a time. Check the inflation pressure regularly. It should be 60 psi (420 kPa). The compact spare is made to go up to 3,000 miles (5000 km), so you can finish your trip and have your full-size tire repaired or replaced where you want. Of course, it’s best to replace your spare with a full-size tire as soon as you can. Your spare will last longer and be in good shape in case you need it again. Your anti-lock brake system warning light may come on when you are driving with a compact spare. See “Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light” in the Index.

258

I !

Don’t use your compact spare on some other vehicle. And don’t mix your compact spare or wheel with other wheels or tires. They won’t fit. Keep your spare and its wheel together.

A CAUTION Storing a jack, a tire, or oth’er equipment in the pagsenger compartment of the vehicle could cause iqjury. In a sudden stop or collision, loose equipment could strike someone. Store all these in the proper place.

The flat tire should be placed in the spare tire well.

259

IF YOU’RE STUCK: IN SAND, MUD, ICE OR SNOW What you don’t want to do when your vehicle is stuck is to spin your wheels. The method known as “rocking” can help you get out when you’re stuck, but you must use caution.

I A CAUTION

If you let your tires spin at high speed, they can explode and you or others could be injured. And, the transaxle or other parts of the vehicle can overheat. That could cause an engine compartment fire or other damage. When you’re stuck, spin the wheels as little as possible. Don’t spin the wheels above 35 mph (55 km/h) as shown on the speedometer.

Rocking your vehicle to get it out: First, turn your steering wheel left and right. That will clear the area around your front wheels. Then shift back and forth between “R” (Reverse) and a forward gear, spinning the wheels as little as possible. Release the accelerator pedal while you shift, and press lightly on the accelerator pedal when the transaxle is in gear. If that doesn’t get you out after a few tries, you may need to be towed out. If you do need to be towed out, see “Towing Your Vehicle” in the Index.

260

c - -

. .

SEtC‘l’lUN 6

SERVICE AND APPEARANCE CARE Here you will find information about the care of your Cadillac. This section begins with service and fuel information, and check important fluid and lubricant levels. There is also technical information about your vehicle, and a section devoted care. SERWCE Your Cadillac dealer knows your vehicle best and wants you to be happy with it. We hope you’ll go to your dealer for all your service needs. You’ll get genuine GM parts and GM-trained and supported service people. We hope you’ll want to keep your GM vehicle all GM. Genuine GM parts have one of these marks:

then it shows how to to its appearance

GM

Doing Your Own Service Work If you want to do some of your own service work, you’ll want to get the proper Cadillac Service Manual. It tells you much more about how to service your Cadillac than this manual can. To order the proper service manual, see “Service Publications” in You should keep a record with all parts receipts and list the mileage and the date of any service work you perform. See “Maintenance Record” in the Index.

the Index.

261

6“

13

1““

I I

A CAUTION:

You can be injured if you try to do service work on a vehicle without knowing enough about it.

Be sure you have sufficient knowledge, experience, and the proper replacement parts and tools before you attempt any vehicle maintenance task. Be sure to use the proper nuts, bolts and other fasteners. “English” and “metric” fasteners can be easily confused. If you use the wrong fasteners, parts can later break or fall off. You could be hurt.

FUEL Use premium unleaded gasoline rated at 91 octane or higher. It should meet specifications ASTM D4814 in the U.S. and CGSB 3.5-92 in Canada. These fuels should have the proper additives, so you should not have to add anything to the fuel. In the U.S. and Canada, it’s easy to be sure you get the right kind of gasoline (unleaded). You’ll see “UNLEADED” right on the pump. And only unleaded nozzles will fit into your vehicle’s filler neck. Be sure the posted octane is at least 91. If the octane is less than 91, you may get a heavy knocking noise when you drive. (In an emergency, you may be able to use lower octane -- as low as 87 -- if heavy knocking does not occur.) If you’re using 91 or higher octane unleaded gas and you still get heavy knocking, your engine needs service.

262

3

What about gasoline with blending materials that contain oxygen, such as MTBE or alcohol? MTBE is “methyl tertiary-butyl ether.” Fuel that is no more than 15% MTBE is fine for your car. Ethanol is ethyl or grain alcohol. Properly-blended fuel that is no more than 10% ethanol is fine for your car. Methanol is methyl or wood alcohol.

Gasolines for Cleaner Air Your use of gasoline with detergent additives will help prevent deposits from forming in your engine and fuel system. That helps keep your engine in tune and your emission control system working properly. It’s good for your vehicle, and you’ll be doing your part for cleaner air. Ivlany gasolines are now blended with materials called oxygenates. General Motors recommends that you use gasolines with these blending materials, such as MTBE and ethanol. By doing so, you can help clean the air, especially in those parts of the country that have high carbon monoxide levels. In addition, some gasoline suppliers are now producing reformulated gasolines. These gasolines are specially designed to reduce vehicle emissions. General Motors recommends that you use reformulated gasoline. By doing so, you can help clean the air, especially in those parts of the country that have high ozone levels. You should ask your service station operators if their gasolines contain detergents and oxygenates, and if they have been reformulated to reduce ve hide emissions.

263

FUELS IN FOREIGN COUNTMES If you plan on driving in another country outside the U.S. or Canada, unleaded fuel may be hard to find. Do not use leaded gasoline. If you use even one tankful, your emission controls won't work well or at all. With continuous use, spark plugs can get fouled, the exhaust system can 4. $8. corrode, and your engine oil can deteriorate quickly. Your vehicle's " oxygen sensor will be damaged. All of that means costly repairs that

wouldn't be covered by your warranty. To check on fuel availability, ask an auto club, or contact a major oil company that does business in the country where you'll be driving. You can also write us at the following address for advice. Just tell us where you're going and give your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

General Motors of Canada Ltd. International Export Sales PO. Box 828 Oshawa, Ontario L1H 7N1, Canada FILLING YOUR TANK

264

A CAUTION:

Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. It burns violently, and that can cause very bad injuries. Don’t smoke if you’re near gasoline or refueling your vehicle. Keep sparks, flames, and smoking materials away from gasoline.

The cap is behind a hinged door on

the left side of your vehicle.

The release button is in the glove box.

$ -

:* ’.

Or you can use the manual door release override in the trunk.

265

7 While refueling, hang the cap inside the fuel door.

I.

’ :

To take off the cap, turn it slowly to the left (ccruntcrclwkuiw).

A CAUTION:

If you get gasoline on you and then something ignites it, you could be badly burned. Gasoline can spray out on you if you open the fuel filler cap too quickly. This spray can happen if your tank is nearly full, and is more likely in hot weather. Open the fuel filler cap slowly and wait for any “hiss” noise to stop. Then unscrew the cap all the way.

When you put the cap back on, turn it to the right until you hear a clicking noise.

266

CHECKING THINGS UNDER THE HOOD HOOD RELEASE

To open the hood, first pull the lever inside the vehicle located at the lower left side of the instrument panel.

267

A CAUTION:

An electric fan under the hood can start up and injure you even when the engine is not running. Keep hands, clothing and tools away from any underhood electric fan.

A CAUTION:

Before closing the hood, be sure all filler caps are on properly. Then just pull the hood down and close it firmly.

Fluid Usage Label

4.6 Liter (Northstar)

Use the fluid usage label to identify the correct fluid you want to check.

- .

268

ENGINE OIL It’s a good idea to check your engine oil every time you get fuel. In order to get an accurate reading, the oil must be warm and the vehicle must be on level ground.

4.9 Liter

4.6 Liter (Northstar)

Turn off the engine and give the oil a few minutes to drain back into the oil pan. If you don’t, the oil dipstick might not show the actual level.

269

4.6 Liter (Northstar)

To Check Engine Oil: Pull out the dipstick and clean it with a paper towel or cloth, then push it back in all the way. Remove it again, keeping the tip lower.

270

P

4.9 Liter

4.6 Liter (Northstar)

When to Add Oil: If the oil is at or below the ADD line, then you’ll need to add some oil. But you must use the right kind. This section explains what kind of oil to use. For crankcase capacity, see “Capacities and Specifications” in the Index.

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1 4.9 Liter

4.6 Liter (Northstar)

To remove, turn the oil fill cap counterclockwise.

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Just fill it enough to put the level somewhere in the proper operating range. Push the dipstick all the way back in when you’re through.

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What Kind of Oil to Use: Look for three things:

SG “SG” must be on the oil container, either by itself or combined with other quality designations, such as “SG/CC,,” “SG/CD,” g g s ~ s ~ , ~ c , 9 ’ etc. These letters show American Petroleum Institute (MI) levels of quality.

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i m

FOR BEST FUEL ECONOMY AND COLD STARTING, SELECT THE LOWEST SAE VISCOSITY GRADE OIL FOR THE EXPECTED TEMPERATURE RANGE.

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S A E 1OW-30 As shown in the viscosity chart, S A E 1OW-30 is best for your vehicle. However, you can use S A E 5W-30 if it's going to be colder than 60°F (16 C ) before your next oil change. When it's very cold, below 0 * F (-18OC), you should use S A E 5W-30.

These numbers on an oil container show its viscosity, or thickness. Do not use other viscosity oils such as S A E 1OW-40 or S A E 2OW-50. 0 Energy Conserving I1

Oils with these words on the container will help you save fuel.

ci

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This doughnut-shaped logo (symbol) is used on most oil containers to help you select the correct oil. You should look for this on the oil container, and use only those oils that display the logo. GM Goodwrench@ oil (in Canada, GM Engine Oil) meets all the requirements for your vehicle. Engine Oil Additives: Don’t add anything to your oil. Your Cadillac dealer is ready to advise if you think something should be added. When to Change Engine Oil: Your vehicle is equipped with an engine oil life index (EOLI) feature as part of the Driver Information Center display (DIC). Oil change intervals are determined by the EOLI and will usually fall at, or between, the two recommended alternative intervals of 3,000 miles (5,000 kilometers) and 7,500 miles (12,500 kilometers), but could be shorter than 3,000 miles (5,000 kilometers) under some very severe driving conditions shown in Schedule I. The system will also indicate the need for an oil change if 7,500 miles (12,500 kilometers) or one year has passed. Engine oil life remaining is displayed through engine data as the ‘OIL LIFE INDEX’ and as a ‘CHANGE ENGINE OIL message. The ‘OIL LIFE INDEX’ display includes a number between 0 and 100. This is the percentage of oil life REMAINING based on driving conditions and mileage driven since the last time of the oil life indicator was reset. When the remaining oil life is less than lo%, a ‘CHANGE OIL SOON’ message will appear. This is a reminder to schedule an engine oil change. When the oil life index reaches 0, the ‘CHANGE ENGINE OIL: message will appear. This indicates that no oil life remains and the oil should be changed as soon as possible, but certainly within the next 200 miles (320 km). The EOLI will not detect excessively dusty conditions or engine malfunctions which may effect the oil. If you drive in dusty areas, change the engine oil after every 3,000 miles (5,000 kilometers) or 3 months (whichever comes first), unless instructed to do so sooner by the DIC. On Northstar 4.6 Liter engine equipped vehicles a ‘CHECK OIL LEVEE message will appear whenever the oil level’s approximately one quart low.

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How To Reset the Oil Life Indicator: After the oil has been changed, display the ‘OIL LIFE INDEX’ message by pressing the the ‘STORE/RECALL ‘INFORMATION’ button. Then press and hold button until the display shows ‘100’. This will reset the oil life index. The message will remain OFF until the next oil change is needed. The percentage of oil life remaining may be check at any item by pressing the INFORMATION button several times until message appears. Engine Block Heater: An engine block heater can be a big help if you have to park outside in very cold weather, -20” F (-29 “C) or colder. If your vehicle has this option, see “Engine Block Heater” in the Index. What to Do with Used Oil:

the ‘OIL LIFE INDEX

A CAUTION

Used engine oil contains things that have caused skin cancer in laboratory animals. Don’t let used oil stay on your skin for very long. Clean your skin and nails with soap and water, or a good hand cleaner. Wash or properlv throw away clothing or rags containing used engine oil.

Used oil can be a real threat to the environment. If you change your own oil, be sure to drain all free-flowing oil from the filter before disposal. Don’t ever dispose of oil by pouring it on the ground, into sewers, or into streams or bodies of water. Instead, recycle it by taking it to a place that collects used oil. If you have a problem properly disposing of your used or a local recycling center for help. oil, ask your dealer, a service station

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AIR CLEANER

4.9 Liter

4.6 Liter (Northstar)

To gain access to the air cleaner element, loosen the four screws and lift the top half of the air cleaner assembly. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to replace the air filter. See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index.

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A CAUTION

Operating the engine with the air cleaner off can cause you or others to be burned. The air cleaner not only cleans the air, it stops flame if the engine backfires. If it isn’t there, and the engine backfires, you could be burned. Don’t drive with it off, and be careful working on the engine with the air cleaner off.

NOTICE: If the air cleaner is off, a backflre can cause a damaging tngine fire, And, dirt can easily get into your engine, which will drmagc it, Always have the air cleaner io place when you’rt ddvlng.

AUTOMTIC TRANSAXLE FLUID When to Check and Change: A good time to check your automatic transaxle fluid level engine oil is changed. Refer to the Maintenance Schedule to determine when to change your fluid. See “Scheduled Maintenance Services” in the Index. How to Check Because this operation can be a little difficult, you may choose to have this done at a Cadillac dealership Service Department. If you do it yourself, be sure to follow all the instructions here, or you could get a false reading on the dipstick.

is when the

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Wait at least 30 minutes &ore checking the transaxle fluid level have been driving:

if you

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When outside temperatures are above 90’F (32’ C). At high speed for quite a while. In heavy traffic -- especially in hot weather. While pulling a trailer.

To get the right reading, the fluid should be at normal operating temperature, which is 180°F to 200°F (82OC to 93’C). Get the vehicle warmed up by driving about 15 miles (24 km) when outside temperatures are above 5O0F (loo C). If it’s colder than 5OoF (lO°C), you may have to drive longer. To check the fluid level:

Park your vehicle on a level place. Place the shift lever in “PYy (Park) with the parking brake applied. With your foot on the brake pedal, move the shift lever through each gear range, pausing for about three. seconds in each range, Then, position the shift lever in “P” (Park). L-ct Ihc cngirlr ruI1 ;II idlc for thrw t o five minutes.

279

Then. without shutting off the engine. follow these steps:

4.9 Liter

4.6 Liter (Northstar) Tbrn cap counterclockwise to unlock cap.

1. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean rag or paper towel. 2. Push it back in all the way, wait three seconds and then pull

it back out

again.

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